🌊NFK Weekly Edition: No BS!, New Shops, Rockets, Figs, Football & More.

The Norfolk City School Board is seeking the public's feedback in hiring its new superintendent after terminating Dr. Sharon Byrdsong in June. Rip it. 

A new legislative panel is exploring whether to end the state’s off-year elections and align with federal cycles — a change that could reshape turnout, campaign finance, and Virginia’s national political clout. Rip it.

Norfolk ranks 31st in the 2025 ACSM Fitness Index, making it the fittest large city in the region. Rip it. 

The Commonwealth is getting more aggressive at holding nursing homes accountable. Rip it. 

Major crime stats in Norfolk are going down, according to the report given to City Council. Rip it.

A four-day gang bust in multiple cities led to over 74 direct indictments. Rip it.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is taking comments on the current draft of an updated watershed agreement through Sept. 1. Rip it.

A group of anglers is calling on the President to sign an executive order to protect menhaden, a protein-rich forage fish, from overfishing. Rip it.

Amtrak Virginia saw a 4.7% increase in passengers traveling through Norfolk from FY2024 to FY2025. Rip it. 

ODU and Virginia Tech have cancelled four of the seven scheduled football matchups. Rip it. 

No BS! Brass, the 11-person brass band featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk lights up Granby Street with New Orleans-inspired energy this Friday. Rip it.

VA Genius Jazz Festival lands at the Annex this weekend with Hot Gumbo Brass Band, Synhergi, Better By Tuesday, and more. Rip it. 

The Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University will close on Friday for a $25 million expansion that will nearly double its gallery space. Rip it.

Explore the evolution of photography through “Constructing Mexico: Photography and National Identity,” on view from Aug. 7 through Nov. 30 at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 

Community building, discussions, and wine tasting? It’s Depth: Natural Wine & Solidarity Fair. Rip it.

The Virginia Queer Film Festival is back September 12-14. Rip it. 

There’s a whole lot of shows across a wide range of genres hitting the Annex this month. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Greta Pratt: Jamestown is Sinking at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
JJJJJerome Ellis: Contradictions at Chrysler Museum.  Rip it.
Joyce J. Scott: Messages at Chrysler Museum.  Rip it.
Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass at Chrysler Museum.  Rip it.
Catherine Hillis - Chasing the Light in the Vault at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Figment: A Juried National Exhibition of Fanciful, Whimsical & Surreal Artworks at d’Art Center. Rip it.
The Burden of the Beast at the Hermitage Museum. Rip it.   
The CAN Collection at Assembly. Rip it. 
Perry Glass Art Collection at Glass Light. Rip it.
FLOW by Laura Carraway Art at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it

Two new retailers are joining Selden Market: Model Citizen Cocktail Supply and Juniper & Jam. Rip it. 

Norwegian Cruise Line has committed to call on Norfolk for 20 weeks next year, with up to 2,400 passengers coming ashore at each visit. Rip it. 

Unemployment in the Commonwealth has risen to 3.5% from 2.5% in December. Rip it.

Italian rocket maker Avio is seeking new space launches in Virginia, which would be governed by the Norfolk-based Virginia Spaceport Authority. Rip it. 

Mack’s Barge on Colley Avenue has closed abruptly. Rip it. 

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs has authorized $79.7 million to fund a new VA clinic in the region. Rip it.

CAN Community Clinic opened a new 6,516 sq. ft. clinical campus in Norfolk this week. Rip it.

The Navy hopes that new dollars and tech will clear away a maintenance backlog that has left, among other things, roughly a third of the Navy’s submarines unable to deploy. Rip it.  

A new Workforce Council initiative, backed by a $300,000 grant, is opening doors for job seekers with a focus on direct training and job placement in shipbuilding and healthcare. Rip it. 

Wage increases are beginning to ease the labor shortage at Huntington Ingalls Industries. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats.

First Fridays returns on August 1st. Rip it. 

Don’t miss the Urbanist Happy Hour next week for all those passionate about housing, transit, and urban design. Rip it.

Dayshift, a 5pm rave for people over 30, is coming to Granby Theater on September 6th. Rip it.

A 7-time world champion, 8-time national champion, and 2-time USLDCC choreography champion, Raquel Reynolds will be judging the line dancing at the Banque on August 2. Rip it.

Fri Aug 1
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Dancing FUNdamentals at Arts for Learning Virginia. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Bibliotherapy at Jordan-Newby Library. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Ghent Farmers Market at Blair Middle School. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Free Tasting Friday at Mermaid Winery. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
First Fridays Block Party with No BS Brass Band & Gabe Niles on Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Chloe Youtsey performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Chris Johnson performs live at Ocean View Fishing Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Live Music at COVA Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Beach Party at Ocean View Beach Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The War of the Worlds at Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Social - An Open House Style Event at 757 Makerspace. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Drum Circle at Mystic Moon Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Erik Gaines performs live at Patio Parties at PBR Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Hot Country Nights: Brian Grilli at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Goth Night At Zen: 80's Flashback at Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Rick Geez spins live at Only You Lounge. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
GirlProv at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Norfolk Tour at Moses Myers House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O'Shaughnessy Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ Hutch performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Brandon Bower Band performs live at Tap it Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

Sat Aug 2
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:15 am. Rip it.
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it.
ERT Field Day at Poplar Hall Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga at Neptune's Fury at Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co.. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach/EOV Farmers Market at Bay Oaks Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Sky's the Limit Yoga at Neptune's Fury. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Storybook Tea Party at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Climate Resilient Gardening 101 at Elizabeth River Project. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Packed House 2 Year Anniversary at Packed House. 11:00 am. Rip it.
DJ Gabraham Lincolnn performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
End of Summer Bash at The Virginia Zoo . 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Paws & Popsicles at Five Points Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Methods of Magic at Mystic Moon of Norfolk. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
LAVA Presents: Stage Select, Fuchsia City, SolBrass, UBU, & Twinbee at The Annex. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Hailey Reese performs live at Maker's Craft Brewery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Roar & Pour 2025 at S.B. Ballard Stadium. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Frank Sings Frank performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
WWE Summer Slam Live! Broadcast at Waterside District. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Missing Digit Fest feat. Grateful Jed at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Date Night at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Norfolk Tour at Moses Myers House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Nu Audio w/ Rylo and ERHL at Only You Lounge. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Raiders of the Lost Ark! Night showing at Naro Expanded Cinema. 8:15 pm. Rip it.
Donal O'Shaughnessy Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ SoundStar performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

Sun Aug 3
Brunch Karaoke performs live at Grain. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Slow & Steady Sunday Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bikes. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Flea Market at Waterside District. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Self Care Sunday at Sky's The Limit. 11:30 am. Rip it.
Vegan Seafood Popup! at Benchtop Brewing Company. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Board Game Sunday's at COVA Brewing Company. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
ABC: "Anything But Champagne" with Kiera at Vino Culture. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Rage Quit Games at Maker's Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Tour de ORF at Smartmouth Beer. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
VA Genius Jazz Fest at The Annex. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Walter Beasley performs live at Brother's. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Booked and Bedazzled: A Book Bedazzling Night at The Ghent Rooftop Bar . 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Jake Ryan Solo performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Anberlin performs live at The NorVA. 7:30 pm. Rip it.

Headed to First Fridays? GCB has lobster mac & cheese grilled cheeses, with black truffles of course. Rip it.

Zeke’s now has korean pork tacos, so you got to give ‘em a go. Rip it. 

Flaming Hot Wingos is the flavor of the week at Dirty Buff. Rip it.

Figs have landed in Norfolk and that means Kobros is spinning them into lattes. Rip it. 

See me with sashimi at Four Eleven York. Rip it.

Classic summers call for heirloom tomatoes on everything. Rip it. 

Salad gang turn up for this candied bacon and cheddar salad on Main Street. Rip it.

Getcha self a chicken plate with carmel butter rolls at Boss Queen’s. Rip it.

Boho is back in style, just chat with the bartenders at Bellarissa. Rip it.

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